TCSS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’)s

Q. Do I have to be a member to
attend your monthly meetings?

A. No, all are welcome, bring a friend.
There are some member privileges though like being able to check out books,
being invited to special events such as our Desert Garden Tours, Good Times Silent Auction and other events for Members.
See our Calendar for meeting dates and our Newsletter for Meeting Speaker details.

Q. How can I join your club, is it expensive?

A. Forms are on our web (print and mail with a check), join online using Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover cards,
you can also join at a meeting, or you can join at a Cactus Rescue. Annual dues are $15 for single membership, and $20 for a family membership; $10 extra per year if you want to get the newsletter in the mail (black/white, web is color). The newsletter is available for free on-line.

Q. How do I find out about volunteer opportunities?

A. We have lots of potential areas for your participation. You can view a list on the bottom of our
Membership Form. Please send us an email (TCSS@TucsonCactus.org) and indicate your areas of interest, we will get back to you.

Q. I have a cactus in my yard I
don’t want, will you come get it?

A. Sorry, our Cactus Rescue Crew only saves cacti from new development projects that
are not needed and will be destroyed. Give excess plants you grow or have relocated legally to neighbors or make contacts at our meetings or have your gardener relocate it to somewhere else on your property..

Q. I have Cholla and Prickly Pear cactus growing too close to my sidewalk, what can I do?

A. Most cactus can be trimmed and shaped. The cuttings can be planted to make more plants. Let the cuttings heal over in the shade for a couple of weeks then plant them.
Use metal tongs to hold the part to cut off and cut with a clean tree saw or serrated knife.

Q. Where can I buy your Rescue Cacti?

A. Presently you can only buy our Rescue Cacti at our sales.
Check our Calendar page for our next sale date and location.

Q. Do you donate cactus for Neighborhood HOA or School Projects?

A. Sorry, we do not donate any cactus. We do have a School Grant Program that can be used by K-12 schools
in Arizona to request money for Cactus and Succulent Projects. See our Grants Section Grants Information

Q. Do you ship your Rescue Cacti?

A. No, we are not a business and only sell our rescued cacti at our sales. Many of the cactus nurseries in Tucson ship cacti.

Q. How do I find out what Cacti you sell?

A. We almost always have Fishook Barrels, Hedge Hogs, and Pincushions. We seldom have Saguaros and Ocotillos. When we post a sale date on our web, we try to indicate what type of cactus we will be selling. Send us an email (Cactus@TucsonCactus.org) and we will add you to our Sales Notice Email List and email you about our future sales events.

Q. I need a bunch of cactus to landscape my new home. Do you give discounts?

A. Yes, if you are a TCSS member, you get a 10% discount on rescued cactus at our sales. Also, if you join TCSS and come to one
of our rescues and help dig and haul your own plants home you only pay our
out of pocket costs which is less than half of our sales prices. Cactus
under 8 inches are $1 each, saguaros are $8 each, all others are $6 each. We do have purchase limits per crew member that varies from rescue to rescue.

Q. I need a tall saguaro and some yucca. Can you tell me where to get them?

A. There are many great places in the Tucson area, we do not give referrals.
We suggest you start by calling our reputable TCSS Member Nurseries listed on our business links page
and check their prices and availability. For Saguaro moving, look in the yellow pages under cactus and also cacti, we do not give referals.

Q. I have a cactus that fell over, what can I do?

A. Check the cause. Is it rotted at the
base? If so it is probably gone. If it looks healthy, many can simply be
replanted (especially barrels, cholla, prickly pear and ocotillo). If it is
a Cholla or Prickly Pear and is too big to handle, take cuttings (handle
with metal tools only), leave them in the shade for a week and then plant
them deep enough to hold them upright.

Q. I have a Saguaro that is all brown at the base, is it sick?

A. Older Saguaros are often brown and darker at the base, just old age, this is normal. If there are soft spots or the cactus is dripping a dark liquid,
then there is cause to be concerned.

Q. I bought a Cactus from you and forgot what you said about planting it, where can I find this information?

A. See our publications page, which has our planting guide brochures listed so you can read them or print one.

Q. I bought an Ocotillo and it is not getting green leaves but my neighbors is. What can I do?

A. See our publications page, which has a special Ocotillo brochure.
All Ocotillo do not respond the same, some will have leaves, some not, some bloom, some not. It can easily take 2 to 3 years for a transplanted Ocotillo to get re-established, many do not make it if they are larger specimens. They should be watered regularly to
get them re-established and spray the canes whenever possible.

Q. I have a tall cacti that is blooming red, can you tell me what it might be?

A. Be sure you are looking at the bloom and not the fruit as to the color. Saguaros bloom white but have lots of red fruit after the blooms. Check our C&S Plants Database to find cacti by name or bloom color, etc.

Q. Can I sell or give away all the cactus on my
property?

A. Maybe. If it is a native cacti and it is growing in its original location (or a saguaro over 4 feet tall) then you must get a permit and tags for each cacti from the state agricultural department prior to removing it from your property. See our Cactus Rescue page for more details.